Guzman, Loney HRs power Rangers past Halos

March 17th, 2017

SURPRISE, Ariz. -- Rookie first baseman hit a three-run home run in the seventh inning to lift the Rangers to a 6-5 victory over the Angels on Friday afternoon at Surprise Stadium.
The home run was the first this spring for Guzman, who went opposite field and drove a pitch from Angels reliever over the wall in left-center field.
"Once I hit it, I knew it was out," Guzman said. "That was the hardest ball I hit this spring."
The Angels were led by rookie second baseman , who drove in three runs off an old teammate. Fontana, who was acquired off waivers from the Astros in November, had a two-run triple off of Rangers starter in the second inning and a run-scoring single in the third. Hauschild and Fontana were both drafted by the Astros in 2012 and were teammates for a number of years coming up through Houston's farm system.

Both starters lasted three innings in their quest for the fifth spot in their rotations. Angels right-hander allowed one run on four hits, a walk and two strikeouts. He has a 4.70 ERA after four outings, including the one start. He was pleased with his fastball command.
"My command with my fastball was really good, as good as it's been," Meyer said. "I know it's a small sample size, but it's good to have that going for you."
Hauschild, trying to make the Rangers' rotation as a Rule 5 draft pick, had a seven-inning scoreless streak come to an end when the Angels scored three runs off him in the second. Hauschild also allowed a run in the third before coming out of the game. He allowed nine of 18 batters faced to reach base on seven hits and two walks.
"Very frustrating. I usually fill up the strike zone," Hauschild said. "It was frustrating, not throwing strikes, getting behind and having to throw a cookie."
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Joey Gallo and had two hits for the Rangers and had a double and two-run home run. It was his first home run of the spring as well.

Angels Up Next: Right-hander , who returned to Angels camp this week after pitching for Venezuela in the World Baseball Classic, will make his third Cactus League appearance Saturday against the Rockies at 1:10 p.m. PT at Tempe Diablo Stadium on MLB.TV. Petit, a non-roster invitee, is competing for a spot in the Angels' rotation or bullpen this spring. Right-hander Ricky Nolasco is also slated to start a Minor League game Saturday.
Rangers Up Next: The Rangers have two games on Saturday with pitching against the Reds at 3:05 p.m. CT in Goodyear. Darvish is down for five innings and 75-80 pitches. will start against the Indians at 2:05 p.m. CT in the second game of Big League Weekend in San Antonio.
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